EPDM polymers grafted with vulcanization accelerators

ABSTRACT

Preparation of ethylene-higher Alpha -olefin-polyene (EPDM) polymers having grafted thereon vulcanization accelerators and polymer blends with highly unsaturated diene rubbers that are cured using sulfur are disclosed. The vulcanizates exhibit improved properties compared to polymer blends of EPDM and diene rubbers.

United States Patent Son et a1. July 29, 1975 [54] EPDM POLYMERS GRAFTED WITH 3,718,628 2/l,973 Bover et a1 260/79.5 B 3,817,948 6/1974 Boustany et al 260/79.5 B

VULCANIZATION ACCELERATORS 3,817,952 6/1974 Knabeschuh et a1 260/79.5 NV

\[75] lnventors: Pyong-Nae Son, Akron; Krishna C.

Baranwal, Stow, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company, Akron, Ohio [22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1974 121] App]. No.: 442,109

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 320,543, Jan. 2, 1973, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl 260/79.5 NV; 204/159.l8; 260/5; 260/887; 260/889 \[51] Int. Cl. C08c 9/08; C08d 9/04; C08f 29/12 [58] Field of Search..... 260/79.5 A, 79.5 B, 79.5 C, 260/79.5 P, 889, 79.5 NV

\[561 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,271,477 9/1966 Kresge 260/877 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,180,269 2/1970 United Kingdom zoo/79.5 C

Primary Examiner-John C. Bleutge Assistant ExaminerThurman Kennis Page Attorney, Agent, or Firm-J. Hughes Powell, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT Preparation of ethylene-higher a-olefin-polyene (EPDM) polymers having grafted thereon vulcanization accelerators and polymer blends with highly unsaturated diene rubbers that are cured using sulfur are disclosed. The vulcanizates exhibit improved properties compared to polymer blends of EPDM and diene rubbers.

6 Claims, No Drawings EPDM POLYMERS GRAFTED WITH VULCANIZATION ACCELERATORS This is a division of application Ser. No. 320,543, filed Jan. 2, 1973, now US. Pat. No. 3,821,134.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Ethylene-higher a-olefin polyene (EPDM) polymers are known for their excellent vulcanizate properties of oxygen and ozone resistance, weatherability, and heat and chemical resistance. Unfortunately, the polymers lack building tack, oil resistance, hot tear resistance, and high internal strength. These disadvantages prohibit the use of EPDM polymers in applications such as tires and automotive and industrial hosing which have been dominated by high unsaturation diene rubbers such as natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubbers, and polychloroprene. The diene rubbers have disadvantages in their lack of oxygen and ozone resistance, heat resistance, and weatherability. A practical solution to both problems would be to physically blend the two types of polymers and cure the blend to obtain a vulcanizate having the desirable properties of each type of polymer. One serious problem inhibiting success is cure incompatibility, the inability of a cure system to sufficiently cure each type of polymer in the polymer blend and to sufficiently co-vulcanize the types of polymers in the blend. Cure incompatibility is demonstrated by the inability of the vulcanizate to perform at a level predicted from a consideration of the ratios of the polymers in the blend. Often the performance will be much less than predicted, and even worse than the performance of either polymer alone when cured similarly. Such behavior is readily apparent in the stress-strain (tensile, elongation) properties, flex-heat build up, and oil swell properties. A major cause of cure incompatibility is the preference known vulcanization accelerators show for one polymer over another leading to pvercure of the one polymer, and undercure of the other polymer. It would be advantageous to minimize this preference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION vulcanization accelerators containing S, linkages where x is l to about 6,

linkages, or SH groups are grafted onto ethylenehigher a-olefin-polyene (EPDM) polymers using (i) ultra-violet light, (ii) a hydrocarbon hypohalite, or (iii) a N-haloimide. The grafted EPDM polymers are admixed with highly unsaturated diene polymers and the blend cured using sulfur. The vulcanizates have excellent tensile, elongation, flex-heat build up, and oil-swell properties (if an oil resistant diene rubber is employed).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The ethylene-higher a-olefin-polyene (EPDM) poly- :mers employed have an ethylene content of from about 15% to about 90% by weight. a higher a-olefin content of about 10% to about 80% by weight, and a polyene content of about 0.5% to about 20% by weight. all weights based on the total weight of the polymer. The higher a-olefin contains 3 to about 14 carbon atoms. Examples of these are propylene, isobutylene, l-

butene, l-pentene, l-octene, Z-ethyl-l-hexene, l-

dodecene, and the like. The polyene can be a conjugated diene such as isoprene, butadiene, chloroprene,

and the like; a nonconjugated diene; a triene, or a higher enumerated polyene. Examples of trienes are 1,4,9-decatriene, 5,8-dimethyl-l ,4,9-decatriene, 4,9- dimethyl-l,4,9-decatriene, and the like. The nonconjugated dienes are more preferred. The nonconjugated dienes contain from 5 to about 25 carbon atoms. Examples are nonconjugated diolefins such as 1,4- pentadiene, l,4-hexadiene, 1,5-hexadiene, 2,5-dimethy1-1,5-hexadiene, l,4-octadiene, and the like; cyclic dienes such as cyclopentadiene, cyclohexadiene, cyclooctadiene, dicyclopentadiene, and the like; vinyl cyclic enes such as l-vinyl-l-cyclopentene, l-vinyl-l-cyclohexene, and the like; alkylbicyclonondienes such as 3-methylbicyclo(4,2,l )nona-3,7-diene, 3-ethyl-bicyclonondiene, and the like; indenes such as methyl tetrahydroindene and the like; alkenyl norbor nenes such as S-ethylidene-Z-norbornene, 5butylidene-Z-norbornene, 2-methallyl-5-norbornene. Z-isopropenyl-S-norbornene, 5-( 1,5-hexadienyl )-2- norbornene, 5-(3,7-octadieneyl)-2-norbornene, and the like; and tricyclo dienes such as 3-methyl-tricyclo- (5,2,1,0 )-3,8-decadiene and the like.

Preferably, the EPDM polymers contain from about 20% to about 80% by weight of ethylene, about 19% to about 70% by weight of a higher a-olefin, and about 1% to about by weight of a nonconjugated diene. The more preferred higher a-olefins are propylene and lbutene.

More preferably, the EPDM polymers have an ethylene content of from about 50% to about 70% by weight, a propylene content of from about 20% to about 49% by weight, and a non-conjugated diene content from about 1% to about 10% by weight, all weights based upon the total weight of the polymer.

The EPDM polymers have molecular weights from about 20,000 to about 2 million or more. Their physical form varies from waxy materials to rubbers to hard plastic-like polymers. They have dilute solution viscosities (DSV) from about 0.5 to about 10, measured at 30C. on a solution of 0.1 gram of polymer in 100 cc. of toluene.

The EPDM polymers are grafted with a vulcanization accelerator having (a) --S linkages where x is 1 to about 6, or (b) having linkages, or (c) having a SH group. Vulcani zation accelerators having a S,-- and/or s-rK linkage include thiuram sulfides of the formula s H II A-C-S -C-B where x is l to about 6, and A and B are selected from the group consisting of I wherein R and R are hydrogen, alkyl radicals containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, an aryl radical, alkaryl radical or aralkyl radical containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl radical containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms in the ring, and R is hydrogen or an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and y is 2 to 7. The alkyl radicals can be linear or branched and can contian primary, secondary and/or tertiary carbon atom configurations. The aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocyclic radicals can further be substituted with alkyl radicals containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of the thiuram sulfide compounds are: tetramethylthiuram monosulfide, tetraethylthiuram monosulfide, tetrabutylthiuram monosulfide, tetramethylthiuram disulfide, tetraethylthiuram disulfide, tetrabutylthiuram disulfide, tetraoctylthiuram disulfide, tetradodecylthiuram disulfide, tetraoctadecylthiuram disulfide, tetrabenzylthiuram disulfide, tetracyclohexylthiuram disulfide, N,N-

dimethyl-N ',N -dibenzylthiuram disulfide, N,N- dimethyl-N,N'-diphenylthiuram disulfide, N,N- diethyl-N ,N -didecylthiuram disulfide, N-

linkage are sulfenamides of the formula R"S A and thiocarbamylsulfenamides of the formula wherein A, B and x are defined as above and R" is an alkyl radical containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl radical, an alkaryl radical, an aralkyl radical containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl radical containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms in the ring, a heterocyclic radical containing 3 to 8 atoms in the ring selected from carbon, oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen wherein at least two atoms are carbon, or a thiazole ring especially a benzothiazole ring. Examples of the sulfenamide compounds are methylsulfenamidc, isopropylsulfenamide, octylsulfenamide, phenylsulfenamide, N,N-dimethyl cyclohexylsulfenamide, N,N-dioctyl octadecylsulfenamide, N,N-diisopropyl phenylsulfenamide, N,N-diphenyl benzylsulfenamide, N-methyl-N-octyl cyclobutylsulfenamide, N,N-diethyl cyclohexylsulfenamide, N,N- diphenyl cyclohexylsulfenamide, N,N-dimethyl cy clobutylsulfenamide, N,N-dicyclohexyl cyclopentylsulfenamide, N-pentamethylene cyclohexysulfenamide, N-hexamethylenc octylsulfenamide, N,N-dioctyl morpholinylsulfenamide, N,N-diphenyl morpholinylsulfenamide, N-(oxydicthylene) morpholinylsulfenamide, N,N-dimethyl-2-benzothiazylsulfenamide, N,N- diisopropyl-2-(4,5-dimethylthiazyl)sulfenamide, N- methyl-N-cyclohexyl-2-(4,5-dimethylthiazylsulfenamide, N,N-diisopropyl-2-benzothiazylsulfenamide, N,- N-diethyl-2-benzothiazylsulfenamide, N-methyl-N- benzyl-2-benzothiazylsulfenamide, N,N-di(tert-butyl)- 2-benzothiazylsulfenamide, N,N-dicyclohexyl-2-benzothiazylsulfenamide, N-oxydiethylene-Z-benzothiazylsulfenamide, N-(2,6dimethyl)oxydiethylene-Z-benzothiazylsulfenamide, N-oxydiethylene-2-benzothiazylsulfenamide, N,N-dimethyl-2-(4,6-dimethylbenzothiazyl) sulfenamide and the like.

Examples of the thiocarbamylsulfenamide compounds are thiocarbamylsulfenamide, N ,N- dimethylthiocarbamylsulfenamide', N- methylthiocarbamyl-N '-ethylsulfenamide,' N- octylthiocarbamyl-N -phenylsulfenamide N- phenylthiocarbamyl-N.,N-dibenzylsulfenamide, N,N- dimethylthiocarbamyl-N',N'-dimethylsulfenamide, N,- N-diethylthiocarbarnyl-N ",N '-diethylsulfenamide, N ,N- dimethylthiocarbamyl-N' ,N -diisopropylsulfenamide, N,N dimethylthiocarbamyl-N ,N-dicyclohexylsulfenamide, N,N-dimethylthiocarbamyl-N'- oxydiethylenesulfenamide, ,N,N=didecylthiocarbamyl- N,N'-didecylsulfenamide, N,N- didodecylthiocarbamyl-N',N'-diphenylsulfenamide, N,N-dibenZylthiocarbamyl-N',N-dibenzylsulfenamide, N-tetramethylenethiocarbamyl-N'- oxydiethylenesulfenamide, N- pentamethylenethiocarbamyl-N'- oxydiethylenesulfenamide, N- hexamethylenethiocarbamyl-N- oxydiethylenesulfenamide, Y N- fenamide, N-( 3,5- dimethyloxydiethylene )thiocarbamyl-N 3 ,5- dimethyloxydiethylene )sulfenamide, N-( 3,5-

dimethyloxydiethylene )thiocarbamyl-N ,N dicyclohexylsulfenamide, and the like.

Examples of other useful accelerators arethe sulfide compounds containing a S, linkage, such as 2,2- benzothiazyl disulfide, 2-(2,4-dinitrophenylthio )benzothiazole, 2-benzo thi agyl-N,N-diethylthiocarbamyl sulfide, 2-benzothiazyl{4morpholinyl disulfide, 4,4'-dithiobismor'pholi nmfan'd 4,4-'dithiobispiperidinc; and dixanthogen disulfidesi'of the formula wherein R is an alkyl radical containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of these compounds are diisopropyl dixanthogen disulfide, dibutyl dixanthogen disulfide, and the like.

Accelerators containing an .SH group include the azole compounds such as 2-mercaptobenzothiazolc, N,N-diisopropyl-2mercaptobenzothiazole sulfenamid e, N,N-diethylthiocarbamyl-2-mercaptobenzothiazole, and the like; 2-mercaptobenzothiazoline, 2-mercaptobenzoimidazoline, Z-mercaptothiazoline, and Z-mercaptoimidazoline.

The accelerators containing S,- and/o linkages and -SH groups are grafted onto EPDM polymers using (i) Ultra-violet (UV) light, (ii) a hydrocarbon hypohalite of the formula or ethanol.

R The vulcanization accelerators are used in the graft I process at a level ranging from about 0.1% to about R-C-Q-X 40% by weight based upon the weight of the EPDM I polymer. More preferred, the accelerators are used in R l0 from about 0.5% to about by weight. Of course, v the determinative factor is the amount of accelerator 1': to y and the diene rubber in the blend. If accelerators were lalkyl radulzzal contambmg 1 to 8 carbon atoms added externally in a Banbury or on a two-roll mill the t t t I f i g g s zjsg gg z fi g is gfgggi standard amount of accelerator used would vary from succiniinide, N-bromo-succinimide 1,3-dichloro-5 5- about Part to about 5 Parts by weight based dimethylhydamoin and 1 100 parts by weight of polymer. In the present invendimethylhydamoinr tion, levels of accelerator grafted onto the EPDM poly- Examples of hydrocarbon hypohalites are tert-butyl gi gg lfir gg fgg i g g% zi g gjz gs g hypohalite, tert-butyl hypobromite, tert-amyl hypoei ht based Ugo the weight the ol mer y ChlOl'lKi, pentyl-Z-hypochlorrte, octyl-3-hypobrom1te, Ifgth t f l t ft EPDM and benzyl hypochlorite. Preferredly, R is an alkyl radil e afnoun 0 fi or on o e cal containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein each R can p0 y a dmona acce can be be the same or different than the other R radicals. Most i the graftlad D polymer and Mg] ,uflsaturauon preferably, each R is a methyl or ethyl radical and the g g l f' are z l 3 "f can compound 18 a tertiary alkyl hypohalite such as tert- "f g' 3; ec zz. a g f If h g or fi f 232431123;aadiieilod ZiYZE LaZLiTf $2 in o ,tecmou lSUS i at eromaout 5 g tfabout 8 :eight 2 5 gfi weight of polymer blend. The additional accelerator can be one EPDM polymer used Alkyl hypohalites are disclosed of the accelerators described herein, or any compound in Us. 3 551 known as a vulcanization accelerator for unsaturated w 323322;: 2.2.12?.zizslzr 'uz lS aot, taot, ,anmreregig 3 8 i 3 800A Laglpspthat dibutylthiourea and the like; polyamines such as hexaemit radiation within this wavelength range are well meghylemf Ftraamlnq mcr'etonyl'qene f known to the art. Radiation in this range is sufficient to an the and aldehyde amme Fondcnsauon activate the vulcanization accelerators and effect graftproduct? Such as butyzildehyde'buwl ammc' hepwlde' ing of the accelerators onto the unsaturated polymer. g t and l a th f To accelerate the graft reaction, photosensitizers can 40 f emgera empboye 63 8 process f be used. Examples of photosensitizers are benzopheg i g t "g none, triphenylphosphine, and anthracene. The photoa u 'h a Cu 4 m reac sinsitizeBs g g g tagging fi 'ih e xc e l r a tors 2: 3262321221? gi' fiez onto the un a outO. lotoaout 0 yweigt ase uponte weight of the EPDM polymer employed slaturatioln site of thle EPDth/l polsymer. It IS believed that The grafting of the accelerators onto EPDM polymer t e acce erators Sp It at t e can be done in bulk, or in emulsion, suspension, or solution. Because of costs, the need for extra emulsifying or suspending ingredients and extra procedural steps such as emulsification and Coagu on, and the and SH positions to yield a graft wherein the accelciency of grafting, a solution process is preferred. The era); i tt h d t th polymer th h a .C S. EPD polym r, the accelerator, and the p ns bond. A grafted EPDM structure can be shown as foltizer [if used) or hypohalite or imide are dissolved in a lows:

(polymer) (polynier) a H o I S -CH-CH CH 3 (polymer) CH r 3 2-mercaptobenzothiazole ll l' -dithiobismorpholine solvent. Examples of solvents are benzene, toluene, hexane, and the like. The grafted EPDM polymers are isolated from solution by direct drying or by coagula' tion using water or a low alkyl alcohol such as methanol The grafted EPDM polymers have molecular weights, physical form, and DSV viscosities similar to that of the EPDM polymer employed. The grafted EPDM can be purified by solvent washes and/or acetone extractions of soluble material. The presence of the accelerator graft may be determined by nitrogen and sulfur analysis.

The highly unsaturated diene rubbers employed have content from about 20% to about 45% by weight based upon the total weight of the polymer. The rubbers usually contain at least 50% and up to 100% by weight of a conjugated diene monomer containing 4 to about 8 carbon atoms, and up to about 50% by weight of copolymerizable vinylidene monomers having a terminal vinylidene (CH =C group. Examples of the conjugated diene monomers are butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, 2-isopropyl-l,3- butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, and the like. More preferred are the conjugated dienes containing 4 to about 6 carbon atoms such as butadiene, chloroprene, and isoprene.

Examples of copolymerizable vinylidene monomers containing a terminal vinylidene group are (a) monoolefins containing 2 to about 8 carbon atoms; (b) vinyl aromatics such as styrene, a-methyl styrene, vinyl toluene, chlorostyrene, and the like; (c) vinyl nitriles such as acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and the like; (d) vinyl and allyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, allyl acetate, and the like; (e) vinyl and allyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether, allyl methyl ether, and the like; (f) divinyls and diacrylates such as divinyl benzene, divinyl ether, diethylene glycol diacrylate, and the like; and (g) acrylates of the formula 3' O I II wherein R is -l-l, -CH or C H and R" is an alkyl radical containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms or an alkoxyalkyl, an alkylthioalkyl, or cyanoalkyl radical containing 2 to about 12 carbon atoms. Examples of such acrylates are ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, octadecyl acrylate, methoxyethyl acrylate, butoxyethyl acrylate, hexylthioethyl acrylate, B-cyanoethyl acrylate, cyanooctyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, ethyl ethacrylate, and the like.

The diene rubbers include natural rubber, the general purpose synthetic rubbers, and specialty rubbers. Examples of the highly unsaturated diene rubbers are natural rubber, polyisoprenes, polybutadienes, poly(- butadiene-styrene) rubbers, poly(isoprene-styrene) rubbers, polychloroprenes, poly(butadieneacrylonitrile) rubbers, poly(isoprene-acrylonitrile) rubbers, polypentenamer rubbers, and the like. The rubbers have molecular weights and DSV values similar to those of the EPDM polymers.

The grafted EPDM polymer and diene rubber can be blended together in any ratio of one to the other. The weight percent of grafted EPDM polymer in the blend can be from about 1% to about 99%. More often, the weight percent of grafted EPDM will be from about to about 95% by weight of the blend. Excellent improvement in vulcanizate properties is demonstrated in blends containing from about 25% to about 90% by weight of grafted EPDM polymer based upon the weight of the blend.

More than one grafted EPDM polymer can be employed in the blend. Similarly, more than one diene rubber can be employed. Therefore, though many blends will contain only two polymers, over two and up to four or more polymers can be present in a blend. In such a case, the grafted EPDM polymers are treated as a group, and the diene rubbers treated as a group, for purposes of determining the weight percents of the polymers in the blend. For example, a blend containing 30% by weight of a polymer of ethylene-propylenealkenyl norbornene grafted with mercaptobenzothiazole, 50% by weight of polyisoprene, and 20% by weight of poly(butadiene-styrene) would contain 30% by weight of grafted EPDM and by weight of diene rubber for the purposes of this invention.

The polymer blend is cured using sulfur or a sulfurdonor as the vulcanization agent. The sulfur or sulfurdonor is used in a range from about 0.5 to about 10 parts by weight based upon parts by weight of the polymer blend. More preferredly, the range is from about 1 part to about 5 parts by weight. Examples of sulfur-donors are tetramethylthiuram disulfide, tetraethylthiuram disulfide, dipentamethylenethiuram hexasulfide, and the like.

The grafted EPDM polymer, the diene rubber, and the sulfur are admixed using standard mixing techniques and procedures. The mixing equipment used can be Banburys, Henschel mixers, extruders, two-roll mills and like equipment. The ingredients are mixed at a temperature and for a time to obtain uniform mixing.

Many other compounding ingredients may be used along with the sulfur or sulfur-donor. Such ingredients include activators such as zinc, calcium, and magnesium oxide, lead monoxide and dioxide, fatty acids such as stearic and lauric acid, and salts thereof such as cadmium, zinc and copper stearate and lead oleate; fillers such as channel blacks, reinforcing blacks, and thermal blacks, calcium and magnesium carbonate, calcium and barium sulfates, aluminum silicates, phenolformaldehyde and polystyrene resins, asbestos, and the like; plasticizers and extenders such as dialkyl and diaryl organic acids like diisobutyl, diisooctyl, diisodecyl, and dibenzyl oleates, stearates, sebacates, azelates, phthalates, and the like, ASTM type 2 petroleum oils, ASTM D-2226 aromatic, naphthalenic and paraffinic oils, castor oil, tall oil, glycerin, and the like; antioxidants, antiozonants, and stabilizers such as di-Bmaphthyl-pphenylenediamine, phenyl-B-naphthylamine, dioctyl-pphenylenediamine, N-l,3-dimethylbutyl-N-phenyl-pphenylenediamine, 4-isopropylamino diphenylamine, 2,6-di-t-butyl paracresel, 2,2'-methylenebis-(4-ethyl-6- t-butyl phenol), 2,2-thiobis-(4-methyl-6-t'butyl phenol), bisphenol-2,2'-methylenebis-6-t-butyl-4-ethyl phenol, 4,4'-butylidenebis-(6-t-butyl-m-cresol), 2-(4- hydroxy-3 ,S-t-butylaniline)-4,6-bis(octylthio)-l ,3 ,5- triazine, hexahydrol ,3,5-tris-B-( 3,5-di-t-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl )propionyls-triazine, tris-( 3 ,S-di-tbutyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, tetrakismethylene-3( 3 ',5 '-di-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate methane, distearyl thiodipropionate, dilauryl thiodipropionate, tri(nonylatedphenyl) phosphite, and the like; and other ingredients such as pigments, tackifiers, flame retardants, fungicides, and the like.

Although the disclosure is directed to blends of grafted EPDM polymers with diene rubbers, the graft process can be effectively used to graft vulcanization accelerators on other low unsaturation polymers. Ex-

amples of such polymers are butyl rubbers prepared by the interpolymerization of isobutylene and isoprene; polymers of ethylene, higher a-olefins, and conjugated dienes such as butadiene, isoprene, and the like; polymers prepared by the interpolymerization of diene monomers with lower (1-8 carbon) alkyl acrylate monomers; and polymers prepared by the interpolymerization of diene monomers with vinyl ketones, vinyl esters, or vinyl ethers. The weight percent range of these grafted low unsaturation polymers'employed with the diene rubbers is similar to that of the EPDM polymer. The level of sulfur employed in the polymer blend is also similar. The graft process can also be effectively used to graft accelerators onto high unsaturation rubbers such as those rubbers herein disclosed.

The composition of (1) a highly unsaturated diene rubber, (2) a grafted EPDM polymer, and (3) sulfur or a sulfur-donor cures readily to yield vulcanizates having improved tensile strength, elongation, flex-crack resistance, ozone and oxygen resistance, heat resistance, and oil resistance (if blended with an oil resistant diene) over that of blends containing nongrafted polymers cured using commonly known accelerators. Vulcanization temperatures and times employed are typical; temperatures ranging from about 250F. to about 400F., and times ranging from about minutes to about 60 minutes.

The composition vulcanizates are useful in applications requiring resistance to heat, oxygen, ozone chemicals, oil, and flex-cracking. The vulcanizates are of particular use in automotive applications such as tires, hosing, belting, gaskets, seals, Weatherstripping, and windshield wiper blades.

The vulcanizates were evalutaed as to tensile and elongation following ASTM D-4l2, hardness following ASTM D2240 (durometer A), and flex heat build-up following the procedure ASTM D623 (B.F.G. Flexometer at 143 psig at 50C. and 17.5%). The flexometer test employs a 0.5 inch diameter, 1.0 inch height cylinder of the vulcanized polymer blend. The cylinder is subjected to cyclic compressions of a given percent, at a given load and a given temperature. After time has elapsed, the temperature of the cylinder is recorded. The results are given as temperature rise, or AT.

The following Examples serve to more fully illustrate the invention. Ingredients are given in parts by weight unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE I The vulcanization accelerator, 4,4'-dithiobismorpholine, was grafted onto an EPDM polymer comprising by weight of ethylene, 36% by weight of propylene, and 9% by weight of ethylidene norbornene, and having a Mooney viscosity 6r 50 (ML-10 at 212F.). grams of the EPDM polymer was dissolved in 900 milliliters of benzene, 33.1 grams (0.14 mole) of 4,4'-dithiobismorpholine was added, followed by 0.2 grams of benzophenone as a UV sensitizer. The solution was put into a pyrex glass vessel and stirred for 21 hours while being irradiated using a General Electric FC12T10-BL Black Light fluorescent lamp placed at a distance of 2 inches from the vessel. Temperature of the reaction was about 35flC.

The grafted EPDM polymer was isolated by coagulation in methanol. The methanol was dried down and 23.0 grams of unreacted 4,4'-dithiobismorpholine was recovered (identified by its Infra-red spectrum). The wet polymer was then dried to constant weight in a vacuum oven. A portion of the polymer was extracted with acetone for 16 hours to purify it. This portion was then analyzed as to its sulfur content, which was 0.23% by weight. The sulfur content reflects a grafted accelerator content of about 0.85% by weight.

The procedure was repeated using 23.6 grams (0.10 mole) of 4,4'-dithiobismorpholine in the graft reaction. The reaction time was 21 hours.

EXAMPLE 11 Following the procedure and recipe given in Example 1, 4,4'-dithiobispiperidine was grafted onto EPDM polymer. The EPDM used was the same as in Example I. 15 grams of 4,4-dithiobispiperidine was used in place of the dimorpholine compound. The reaction solution was irradiated for 19 hours, and the grafted EPDM was isolated by coagulation with methanol. An acetone extracted portion of the grafted EPDM was analyzed for its sulfur content. The sulfur content was 0.28% by weight, reflecting a graft content of about 1.0% by weight of the polymer. The original EPDM had a DSV value of 1.20. The grafted EPDM had a DSV value of 1.23.

EXAMPLE Ill The EPDM polymers grafted with 4,4-dithiobismorpholine (in Example I) and with 4,4- dithiobispiperidine (in Example 11) were mixed with Natural Rubber and cured. As a control, a mix of the original EPDM and Natural Rubber was cured using a commonly known cure system. The polymers and compounding ingredients were mixed in a Banbury mixer, and the sulfur and accelerator were added on a two-roll mill. The recipes used and the cure data obtained are as follows:

Grafted EPDM 70" 70 70" 70 EPDM 70 Natural rubber 30 30 30 30 30 N660 black 55 55 55 55 55 Naphthenic oil 25 25 25 25 25 Zinc oxide 10 5 5 5 l0 Stearic acid 1 l 1 l 1 Z-morpholinothiobenzothiazole 0.5 0.5 0.8 Tetramethylthiuram disulfide 0.8 Sulfur 0.5 0.5 1.5 Viscurometer at 302F.

t,-,, scorch, minutes 18 15 12 8 3 t cure. minutes 41 42 28 6 Cured at 302F., minutes 41 45 30 25 6 Tensile. psig 1810 2040 2240 2170 980 300% modulus. psig 1300 900 1320 l 750 Continued 1 2 3 4 5 Elongation. percent 410 600 490 500 460 Durometer A hardness 54 55 57 64 B.F.G. Flexometer 143 psig. 0.175"

stroke. 50C. AT 62 80 51 57 blow-out "EPDM graft polymer of Example I "Repeal EPDM polymer of Example 1 EPDM graft polymer of Example ll EXAMPLE V Samples 1 and 2 used no extra sulfur over that supplied by the unreacted, unextracted 4,4 -dithiobismorpholine in the EPDM polymers. Small amounts of accelerator and sulfur were added to samples 3 and 4. Samples 1, 2, 3 and 4 show much improved tensile strength and lower flex heat build-up compared to the control, sample 5.

EXAMPLE IV zene) were dissolved in 1,400 milliliters of benzene.

The solution was placed in a vessel and agitated for 3 hours at a temperature of about 40i5C.

The grafted polymer was isolated by coagulation in methanol. 5.5 grams of 2,2-dibenzothiazyl disulfide (identified through its lnfra red spectra) was washed out with the methanol. A sample of the polymer was extracted with acetone for 16 hours and an analysis was then made for sulfur content. The polymer had a weight percent sulfur content of 0.39%, reflecting a grafted accelerator content of about 0.98% by weight of the polymer.

The procedure was repeated using 150 grams of EPDM, 12.4 grams of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, 10.2 grams of t-butyl hypochlorite, and 2300 milliliters of Example IV was repeated using an EPDM containing ethylene-propylene-7.0% by weight dicyclopentadiene terpolymer, and an EPDM containing ethylenepropylene-3.5%-by weight 1,4-hexadiene terpolymer. The grafted EPDM polymers were isolated, and a portion of each extracted with acetone and analyzed for its sulfur content. The polymers had mercaptobenzothiazol'e graft contents of about 1.0% by-weight and about 3.2% by weight respectively. The original polymers had DSV values of 1.30 and 1.72 respectively.

The grafted polymers had DSV values of 1.36 and 1.53 respectively. 1 Y

0 EXAMPLE v1 The accelerator, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole was grafted onto EPDM polymer using l,3-dibromo-5,5- dimethylhydantoin. The EPDM polymer used as a terpolymer' of ethylene-propylene-4% by weight of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene. 100 grams of EPDM and 8.2 grams of MBT (0.049 mole) were dissolved in 1,000 milliliters of benzene. The solution was cooled to 5C. and 8.6 grams (0.03 mole) of l,3-dibromo -5,5- dimethylhydantoin was added. The solution was then heated to 60- '-2C. for 4.5 hours. The grafted-EPDM was isolated and a portion extracted with acetone for sulfur analysis. The sulfur content indicated about a 0.21% by weight graft content. The EPDM polymer had a DSV value of 1.61 and the grafted polymer had a DSV value of 1.46.

EXAMPLE VII The EPDM polymers grafted with Z-mercaptobenzobenzene. 8.0 grams of 2,2dibenzothiazyl disulfide was thiazole were mixed with Natural Rubber and cured. recovered from the methanol. The polymer has a Control mixes were prepared containing the original grafted accelerator content of about 1.0% by weight of EPDM polymers and Natural Rubber. The recipes used the polymer. and the data obtained are as follows:

Grafted EPDM 70" 70 70 70" 70" EPDM 70 EPDM 70 Natural rubber 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 N660 black 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 55 Naphthenic oil 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Zinc oxide 10 3 3 3 3 3 l0 l0 Stearic acid I l l l l l l 1 2-morpholinothiobenzothiazole 0.8 0.8 Tetramethylthiuram disulfide 0.8 0.8 2-mercaptobenzothiazole 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Sulfur 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.5 Viscurometer at 320F.

t scorch. minutes 6 7 5 3 4 3 3 3 L cure, minutes 28 55 36 6 6 Cured at 302F. minutes 28 55 36 60 50 35 7 6 Tensile. psig 1610 1790 2000 2475 2475 1375 250 980 300% modulus, psig 660 640 870 1830 1160 750 Elongation, percent 630 640 600 360 525 280 460 Continued Hardness, durometer A 54 55 56 62 64 1B.F.G. Flexometer,

143 psig, 0175" stroke 150C. AT, I 97 77 49 55 65 blowblow out out EPDM polymer from Example Vl "EPDM polymer from Example I "EPDM graft polymer from Example IV Repeat EPDM graft polymer from Example IV EPDM graft polymer from Example V. containing dicyclopcntadiene EPDM graft polymer from Example V. containing 1.4-hexadicnc "EPDM graft polymer from Example Vl Samples 1 to 6, containing the grafted EPDM poly- R '-O-CS-S C 3-O-R mers, far out-performed Samples 7 and 8, the control mixes. Sample 3 in view of Samples 1 and 2, demon- S S strates that the addition of a little extra accelerator and sulfur can further improve the cure of the grafted EPDM/diene rubber blends. A similar effect is achieved by grafting higher amounts of accelerator 20 onto the EPDM polymer. Sample 6 had a low graft content, but still out-performed the controls.

We claim;

1. An ethylene-higher a-olefin-polyene polymer 'having grafted thereon about 0.1 part to about 10 parts by 25 weight per 100 parts by weight of the polymer a vulcanization accelerator selected from the group consisting of I) thiuram sulfides of the formula where R' is an alkyl radical containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms, (5) sulfide compounds selected from the group consisting of 2,2-benzothiazyl disulfide, 2-(2,4- dinitrophenylthio)benzothiazole, 2-benzothiazyl-N,N- diethylenethiocarbamyl sulfide, 2-benzothiazyl-4- morpholinyl disulfide, 4,4'-dithiodimorpholine, and 4,4-dithiodipiperidine, and (6) azole compounds containing a SH group selected from the group consisting of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, N,N-diisopropyl-2-mers q captobenzothiazole sulfenamide, N,N- n i? 30 diethylthiocarbamyl-Z-mercaptobenzothiazole, 2-mercaptobenzothiazoline, 2-mercaptobenzoimidazo- X line, 2-mercaptothiazoline, and 2- wherein x is l to about 6, and A and B are selected mercaptoimidazoline. from the group consisting of 2. A grafted polymer of claim 1 wherein the ethylene- Na I I1 -l'! (CHR' and -.1 Q

R J &R

where R and R are hydrogen, alkyl radicals containhigher a-olefin-polyene polymer consists of about ing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, an aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl percent to about 90 percent by weight of ethylene, radical containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or a cycloalkyl b t 10 percent to about 80 percent by weight of a radical Containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms in the ring, and higher a-olefin containing 3 to about 14 carbon atoms, is hydrogen an alkyl radical Containing 1 t0 4 5 and from about 0.5 percent to about 20 percent by atoms, and y is 2 t0 7, Sulfenamides of the weight of a nonconjugated diene containing 5 to about mula RS,A where x and A are defined as above, carbon atoms is Q F from the group consisting of an alkyl 3. A grafted polymer of claim 2 where the ethyleneradical containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl, alkahigher wolefimpolyene polymer consists of about 1 ryl, aralkyl radical containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, a percent to about 10 percent by weight of nonconjw cycloalkyl radical containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms in the gated diene, the higher f is propylene or butene ring, a heterocyclic radical containing 3 to 8 atoms in 1 and the ethylene and higher fi are present in the "8 Selected from carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and from about 20 to 80 weight percent of ethylene and sulfur wherein at least two atoms are carbon, and a thiabout 19 to 70 i ht percent of higher al fin, 3216 ring, thiocal'bamyl sulfenamides 0f the 4. A grafted polymer of claim 3 wherein the vulcanimula zation accelerator is 4,4'-dithiobismorpholine.

s 5. A grafted polymer of claim 3 wherein the vulcanization accelerator is 4,4-dithiobispiperidine. 6. A grafted polymer of claim 3 wherein the vulcanization accelerator is Z-mercaptobenzothiazole.

wherein A and B are defined as above, (4) xanthogen disulfide of the formula 

1. AN ETHYLENE-HIGHER A-OLEFIN-POLYENE POLYMER HAVING GRAFTED THEREON ABOUT 0.1 PART TO ABOUT 10 PARTS BY WEIGHT PER 100 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF THE POLYMER A VULZANIZATION ACCELERATOR SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF (1) THIURAM SULFIDES OF THE FORMULA
 2. A grafted polymer of claim 1 wherein the ethylene-higher Alpha -olefin-polyene polymer consists of about 15 percent to about 90 percent by weight of ethylene, about 10 percent to about 80 percent by weight of a higher Alpha -olefin containing 3 to about 14 carbon atoms, and from about 0.5 percent to about 20 percent by weight of a nonconjugated diene containing 5 to about 25 carbon atoms.
 3. A grafted polymer of claim 2 where the ethylene-higher Alpha -olefin-polyene polymer consists of about 1 percent to about 10 percent by weight of nonconjugated diene, the higher Alpha -olefin is propylene or butene-1, and the ethylene and higher Alpha -olefin are present in from about 20 to 80 weight percent of ethylene and about 19 to 70 weight percent of higher Alpha -olefin.
 4. A grafted polymer of claim 3 wherein the vulcanization accelerator is 4,4''-dithiobismorpholine.
 5. A grafted polymer of claim 3 wherein the vulcanization accelerator is 4,4''-dithiobispiperidine.
 6. A grafted polymer of claim 3 wherein the vulcanization accelerator is 2-mercaptobenzothiazole. 